Hazardous roads advisory issued in NW Indiana

Police issued an advisory late this morning warning drivers in Northwest Indiana about potentially hazardous road conditions today following a weather-induced, chain-reaction crash that killed three people this week.

Indiana State police in a news release said the warning is specifically for Interstate 94 and Interstate 65 in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties. With recently fallen snow, high wind gusts and sub-zero temperatures, officials advise drivers to watch out for icing and black ice on Indiana roadways, bridges and ramps.

Thursday afternoon, several mangled semis and other crumpled vehicles were piled up on I-94 near Michigan City. The swirling snow limited visibility on the roadway accompanied by slick conditions, caused more than 40 semi trucks and cars to crash, said police.

Three people were killed Thursday and as many as 20 were injured. The wreckage was so massive that I-94 remained closed until Friday morning while rescuers worked throughout the night untangling vehicles, said police.

Late this morning, officials cautioned that interstates have had numerous slide-offs, rollovers and crashes, and added that semis and four-wheel drive vehicles are not exempt from crashes, the release said.

Police said the Indiana Department of Transportation crews have been spreading salt and abrasives on the roadways, but with the conditions, crews have been having a hard time keeping up with the weather.

Officials ask for drivers on I-94 and I-65 to slow down and allow plenty of time to reach destinations. Police also said drivers should expect long delays.

Interstate 94 was reopened this morning after cranes and tow trucks worked through the night to untangle a crush of more than 40 semis and cars that collided in near blizzard conditions near Michigan City, Ind., killing three people, including a 65-year-old man from Chicago.